Patents by Inventor Steinar Myren

Steinar Myren has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240175919
    Abstract: Described is a method for connectivity testing of integrated circuits. The method includes connecting an integrated circuit comprising an internal measurement component and a plurality of connection elements to an automated testing apparatus via a first common test channel connected to a first set of non-neighbouring connection elements of the plurality of connection elements and a second common test channel connected to a second set of non-neighbouring connection elements of the plurality of connection elements, different to the first set of non-neighbouring connection elements. The connection elements of the first set of non-neighbouring connection elements neighbour connection elements of the second set of non-neighbouring connection elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: TouchNetix AS
    Inventor: Steinar MYREN
  • Publication number: 20240086013
    Abstract: Described is a touch-sensitive apparatus, including: a plurality of electrodes comprising at least a first electrode and a second electrode; drive circuitry configured to generate a drive signal for driving one or more of the plurality of electrodes; a differential output element comprising a first input and a second input configured to couple to each of the first electrode and second electrode and configured to output a signal indicative of the differential between signals input to the differential output element at the first input and the second input; switching circuitry configured to couple the first electrode to either of the first input or second input of the differential output element and to couple the second electrode to either of the first input or second input of the differential output element; and processing circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: TouchNetix Limited
    Inventors: Steinar MYREN, Stephen William ROBERTS, Trond Jarle PEDERSEN
  • Patent number: 10955973
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes outputting a first current associated with a first electrode track of a self-capacitance touch sensor. The method also includes outputting a second current associated with a second electrode track of the self-capacitance touch sensor. The method also includes measuring a voltage associated with a difference between the first and second currents and determining a position of an object relative to the self-capacitance touch sensor based on the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Brillant, Steinar Myren, Terje Saether
  • Publication number: 20210026491
    Abstract: A device includes a touch sensor and a touch-sensor controller. The touch-sensor may receive a signal associated with an operation of the device; in response to the signal, determine that a detection mode of the touch sensor associated with the device is to be changed, and in response to the determination, increase sensitivity of a first portion, but not all, of the touch sensor. A first portion of increased sensitivity may be an area of the touch sensor associated with a button. A first portion of increased sensitivity may be the top right portion of the touch sensor. In other examples, sensitivity may be decreased when an operation is a game played by a user on the device, a voicemail operation on the device, or an operation requiring an ear or face of a user to contact the touch sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Luben H. Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond J. Pedersen, Paul Stavely
  • Patent number: 10838549
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a controller includes a storage unit and a processor unit. The processor unit is coupled to the storage unit and configured to receive a signal associated with an operation of a device that includes a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first plurality of electrodes oriented in a first direction in a first portion of the touch sensor, a second plurality of electrodes oriented in the first direction in a second portion of the touch sensor, and a third plurality of electrodes intersecting the first and second plurality of electrodes. The processor unit is further configured to determine, in response to the signal, that a detection mode of the touch sensor is to be changed and in response to the determination, couple the second plurality of electrodes to a fixed voltage source to decrease a detection range in the second portion of the touch sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: NeodrĂ³n Limited
    Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Luben H. Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond J. Pedersen, Paul Stavely
  • Patent number: 10732773
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving one or more sense signals from a touch sensor of a device, comparing a value associated with the one or more sense signals to a first threshold, and determining, based on comparing the value to the first threshold, whether an object has come within a pre-determined proximity of a first pre-determined location at a surface of the device. The method further includes comparing the value associated with the one or more sense signals to a second threshold and determining, based on comparing the value to the second threshold, whether the object has come within a pre-determined proximity of a second pre-determined location at the surface of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: NeodrĂ³n Limited
    Inventors: Trond Pedersen, Steinar Myren, Vemund Bakken, Rune Watn
  • Patent number: 10353502
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a display stack and a controller. The display stack includes a display and a ground layer. The ground layer includes a plurality of columns. Each column of the plurality of columns includes a plurality of nodes. The controller provides voltages to a first plurality of nodes of a first column of the plurality of columns of the ground layer such that a sum of the voltages of the first plurality of nodes of the first column is less than or equal to two millivolts. The controller also measures values at a second plurality of nodes of a second column of the plurality of columns. The values at the second plurality of nodes indicates an amount of charge transferred from the first plurality of nodes to the second plurality of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Steinar Myren, Rune Watn
  • Publication number: 20190138142
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a display stack and a controller. The display stack includes a display and a ground layer. The ground layer includes a plurality of columns. Each column of the plurality of columns includes a plurality of nodes. The controller provides voltages to a first plurality of nodes of a first column of the plurality of columns of the ground layer such that a sum of the voltages of the first plurality of nodes of the first column is less than or equal to two millivolts. The controller also measures values at a second plurality of nodes of a second column of the plurality of columns. The values at the second plurality of nodes indicates an amount of charge transferred from the first plurality of nodes to the second plurality of nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Steinar Myren, Rune Watn
  • Patent number: 10234974
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a display stack and a controller. The display stack includes a display and a ground layer for generating an image for the display. The ground layer includes a plurality of columns. Each column of the plurality of columns includes a plurality of nodes. The controller provides voltages to a first plurality of nodes, respectively, of a first column of the plurality of columns of the ground layer such that a sum of the respective voltages of the first plurality of nodes of the first column is substantially zero. The controller also measures, to determine whether a touch event occurred, respective values at a second plurality of nodes of a second column of the plurality of columns. The respective values at the second plurality of nodes indicate an amount of charge transferred from the first plurality of nodes to the second plurality of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Steinar Myren, Rune Watn
  • Publication number: 20190004629
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a touch-sensitive device includes a controller, a shield sensor, a plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes. The plurality of first electrodes spans a first direction and the plurality of second electrodes spans a second direction that is different than the first direction. The controller electrically couples the plurality of first electrodes to the shield sensor. The shield sensor charges the plurality of first electrodes to cause substantially equal voltages to be present on the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
  • Patent number: 10067619
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for determining the location of a touch on a touch sensor includes receiving input signals in response to a touch proximate to a location on the touch sensor. Each input signal may have a total capacitance that includes a first capacitance associated with the touch and a second capacitance that is parasitic capacitance. The parasitic capacitance of one or more of the input signals may be adjusted to result in the second capacitance of each of the input signals being substantially equal. An average capacitance of the adjusted input signals may be calculated. The location of the touch on the touch sensor may then be determined based on a comparison of the total capacitance of each of the input signals and the average capacitance of the input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Vemund Kval Bakken, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10042501
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable, when executed by the processor, to connect each electrode of a first subset of electrodes of the sensor and determine a first value associated with the first subset of electrodes. Based at least on the first value, the logic is further operable to alter the first subset of electrodes to a second subset of electrodes and connect, in response to determining to alter the first subset of electrodes to the second subset of electrodes, each electrode of the second subset of electrodes of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
  • Patent number: 10037119
    Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the plurality of electrodes of the sensor to form a first cluster pattern including a first cluster and a second cluster. The first cluster and the second cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. The logic is further operable to determine a value associated with a capacitance of a first cluster and configure, in response to determining the value, the plurality of electrodes to form a second cluster pattern. The second cluster pattern includes a third cluster and a fourth cluster. The third cluster and the fourth cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes and the third cluster is interleaved with the fourth cluster such that an electrode of the third cluster is positioned between two electrodes of the fourth cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
  • Patent number: 10031632
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a controller, first electrodes, second electrodes, a plurality of sensors, and a shield sensor. The controller is operable to cause substantially equal voltages to be present on the first and second electrodes while measuring capacitances of the plurality of first electrodes electrically coupled to the shield sensor and measuring capacitances of the plurality of second electrodes electrically coupled to the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
  • Publication number: 20180203546
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving one or more sense signals from a touch sensor of a device, comparing a value associated with the one or more sense signals to a first threshold, and determining, based on comparing the value to the first threshold, whether an object has come within a pre-determined proximity of a first pre-determined location at a surface of the device. The method further includes comparing the value associated with the one or more sense signals to a second threshold and determining, based on comparing the value to the second threshold, whether the object has come within a pre-determined proximity of a second pre-determined location at the surface of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Trond Pedersen, Steinar Myren, Vemund Bakken, Rune Watn
  • Publication number: 20180143713
    Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the plurality of electrodes of the sensor to form a first cluster pattern including a first cluster and a second cluster. The first cluster and the second cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. The logic is further operable to determine a value associated with a capacitance of a first cluster and configure, in response to determining the value, the plurality of electrodes to form a second cluster pattern. The second cluster pattern includes a third cluster and a fourth cluster. The third cluster and the fourth cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes and the third cluster is interleaved with the fourth cluster such that an electrode of the third cluster is positioned between two electrodes of the fourth cluster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
  • Publication number: 20180136757
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable, when executed by the processor, to connect each electrode of a first subset of electrodes of the sensor and determine a first value associated with the first subset of electrodes. Based at least on the first value, the logic is further operable to alter the first subset of electrodes to a second subset of electrodes and connect, in response to determining to alter the first subset of electrodes to the second subset of electrodes, each electrode of the second subset of electrodes of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
  • Patent number: 9927927
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes applying a drive signal to an electrode of a touch sensor of a device. The touch sensor extends across an area of a surface of the device, and the drive signal is configured to generate an electric field that extends outward from the area of the surface that the touch sensor extends across and reaches a pre-determined location on the device that is outside the area of the surface that the touch sensor extends across. The method includes receiving a sense signal from the touch sensor produced at least in part by the electric field. The sense signal indicates whether an object has come within a pre-determined proximity of the pre-determined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Trond Pedersen, Steinar Myren, Vemund Bakken, Rune Watn
  • Patent number: 9874980
    Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the electrodes to form a first cluster pattern having a plurality of first clusters of two or more electrodes, apply voltage to each first cluster, and determine a plurality of first values associated with a capacitance of a first cluster. The logic is further operable to configure the electrodes to form a second cluster pattern having a plurality of second clusters of two or more electrodes, apply voltage to each second cluster, and determine a plurality of second values associated with a capacitance of a second cluster. At least one second cluster is interleaved with an adjacent second cluster. The logic is further operable to determine a position of an object based at least on the second values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
  • Patent number: 9870104
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable, when executed by the processor, to connect each electrode of a first subset of the plurality of electrodes, apply voltage to the first subset, and determine a first value associated with a capacitance of the first subset. Based at least on the first value, the logic is further operable to connect each electrode of a second subset of the plurality of electrodes, the second subset having fewer electrodes than the first subset, apply voltage to the second subset, and determine a second value associated with a capacitance of the second subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely